I wanted to see his face. Needed to know who my tormentor was, but he remained hidden in gloom.
He held out a hand encased in black leather. “Come willingly, and it will be quick.”
Heat flushed through me, hugging my throat and tearing harsh words from my lips. “Fuck you. If you want me, then come and fucking get me, you bastard.”
He moved so fast he was a blur—outside my circle one moment, and a foot in front of me the next.
I locked my knees and bit back a cry as my spell flared to life, silver wards flying up around us to hold him in place. I had him. I had?—
The protective power surrounding me winked out, and the wind howled in mourning.
No. No, no, no…
His raspy laughter filled the space between us. “Points for effort, Selina. But your circle is useless against me.”
Cold fire wrapped around my throat and squeezed until my eyes grew hot and my vision blurred.
The trees leaned toward me, branches reaching out as if they could tear me free and take me away.
The wind picked up, clawing at the figure’s cloak and whipping it back and forth, then with a final burst of power, it ripped back the hood to reveal his face.
Shock punched me in the gut. No…it couldn’t be…
“Goodbye, Selina.”
The warm nugget of power inside me dimmed…
I didn’t want to die.
I didn’t?—
CHAPTER 1
CARLSTON TOWN -ANAMAYA
This is forbidden. What shouldn’t have happened has come to pass. My fault entirely. I should have walked away. I could have saved her…
UNNAMED JOURNAL (VAULT ARCHIVES)
The tram rocked gently on a rickety track in desperate need of repairs. Everything about Carlston Town needed fixing. The houses, the businesses, the enforcement, and the people. But it was home.
The trap on the seat beside me shuffled forward, and I slammed my hand on it, drawing it back.
A low growl emanated from inside.“Let me out. Let me go.”
“Shut up.”
“Excuse me?” The woman sitting on the bench opposite glared at me, mouth pinched like she’d just sucked on a lemon.
“I wasn’t speaking to you.”
“Oh, really, then who were you speaking to?”
I tapped the trap. “The critter in here.”
Her eyes went round. “What?” She slid along her seat. “Conductor! Conductor!”
Oh, for the love of all things dark and gory. “Shut up. And this time, Iamspeaking to you.”
